Switching from long-lived to short-lived HIV reservoirs
Official title: Turning off HIV White Noise: Switching from Long-Lived to Short-Lived Reservoir
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11040341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why HIV can stick around in the body even when people are on treatment, especially in hard-to-reach places like the gut, and it hopes to find new ways to help the immune system fight the virus better by targeting a specific factor that helps it hide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 22, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,174,445 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176599-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are currently on antiretroviral therapy and have experienced viral rebound upon treatment interruption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who have not responded to antiretroviral therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how HIV persists in the body despite treatment and aims to understand the mechanisms behind this persistence, particularly in deep tissues like the gastrointestinal tract. By using advanced imaging techniques, the team can identify areas where the virus remains hidden and develop strategies to disrupt this persistence. The study focuses on blocking a specific immune suppressor factor, TGF-β, which is known to inhibit immune responses and contribute to the virus's ability to hide. If successful, this approach could lead to new therapies that help eliminate HIV reservoirs in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that help eliminate hidden HIV reservoirs, potentially allowing patients to live without ongoing antiretroviral therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting HIV reservoirs, but this specific approach using TGF-β blockade is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinelli, Elena — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Martinelli, Elena
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.